Celebrating our brightest emerging artists and established legends, the QMAs are a state-wide search for Queensland’s best music. Spanning 13 self-nominating categories including Pop, Rock, Blues / Roots, Country, Hip-Hop / Rap, Electronic / Dance, Heavy, Video and Schools.
Applications are now open for the 2019 Billy Thorpe Scholarship, funded by the Queensland Government and administered by QMusic. Now in its 11th year, the award provides $10,000 for an emerging artist to record with an established producer, and receive career-planning advice from Chugg Entertainment.
The scholarship, named in honour of the late Billy Thorpe, a great Australian rock musician who passed away in February 2007, was designed to help develop the future of rock and roll.
Thorpe spent his formative years in Brisbane and made an enormous contribution to the Australian and global music industry over five decades of performing, writing and producing.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Music Awards were a wonderful celebration of Queensland’s thriving music industry.
“The Palaszczuk Government, through Arts Queensland, proudly supports our state’s contemporary music scene,” Ms Enoch said.
“We’ve invested in QMusic to present the QMAs and BIGSOUND, in addition to a raft of awards that enable artists to take advantage of professional development opportunities and access new audiences. This includes the $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship, which for ten years has supported local emerging musicians with their career development and helped them hone their art."
“Bearing the name of one of Australia’s rock’n’roll trailblazers, the scholarship is unlocking some exceptional musical talent here in Queensland, and putting truly promising artists on a path to success.”
Earlier this year the 2018 scholarship was awarded to 23-year-old Far North Queensland songstress Greta Stanley.
“Being the recipient of the 2018 Billy Thorpe Scholarship has allowed me to create & soon release new music I otherwise would have been struggling to afford and manage to do successfully. Being nominated for a QMA gave me confidence and reassurance that my art is important and appreciated by industry professionals and listeners alike.”
Greta Stanley
2018 Winner - Billy Thorpe Scholarship
A recording grant for early career artists, the scholarship, named in honour of the late Billy Thorpe was designed to help develop the future of rock and roll. The Scholarship is for an emerging musician or band over 18. You must be a Qld resident and in the early stages of developing your career.
GRANT MCLENNAN FELLOWSHIP 2022
Take your songwriting to the next level! The 2022 Grant McLennan Fellowship applications are now open. Applications close 5pm, Monday 29 August 2022.
QMusic Launches Safe Places – Live Music Venue Pilot Program
QMusic Launches Safe Places – Live Music Venue Pilot Program
Where to go for help
Helplines and resources for discrimination, abuse and assault.
QMusic and BIGSOUND announce the BIG SUMMER BLOCK PARTY!
QMusic and the brains behind BIGSOUND have teamed up for the ultimate end-of-year party on Sunday, November 28! Join in on the biggest party to see out a year that sucked and welcome a funner Summer!
QMusic Revokes Denis Handlin's Honorary Award
Following ongoing reports of systemic bullying, discrimination, and misconduct under Handlin’s leadership at Sony Music Entertainment, Queensland's peak music industry body QMusic has revoked Handlin's 2020 Honorary Award.
WHEN THE SHOW CAN’T GO ON: COVID’S INVISIBLE VICTIMS
The Australian music industry is a delicate ecosystem at risk of total collapse unless it receives critical life support. The success of Australia’s live music industry lies in the people who make the show go on - the technicians, engineers, managers, hiring companies and more - those who are COVID’s invisible victims.